July 08 2026

Wednesday July 08

“Whatever Things Are True”

Philippians 4:8

Welcome to Pastor's Chat. Today we continue our study of Philippians 4:8. Paul writes: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.”  Yesterday we learned that if we are going to enjoy the peace of God guarding our hearts, then we must also guard our minds.

Today Paul gives us the first test for every thought that enters our minds: "Whatever things are true." Everything begins with truth. We live in a world where truth is often questioned, ignored, or even rejected. We hear people say, "Well, that's your truth," or "This is my truth." But the Bible teaches that truth is not something we invent—it is something God reveals. Jesus declared in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." Later, as He prayed to the Father, Jesus said in John 17:17: “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth."

God's Word is the absolute standard of truth. If we are going to think correctly, we must think Biblically. Why does Paul begin here? Because Satan's greatest weapon has always been deception. In the Garden of Eden, the serpent did not begin by denying God. He began by questioning God's Word. "Yea, hath God said...?" (Genesis 3:1) Then he contradicted God. "You shall not surely die." (Genesis 3:4) A lie believed always leads to bondage. But the truth believed always leads to freedom. Jesus said in John 8:31-32: "If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Think about how many lies Satan tries to whisper into our minds. He says, "God doesn't really love you." The Bible says, "The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love." (Jeremiah 31:3) Satan says, "God has abandoned you." God says, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5) Satan says, "Your failures define you." God says, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature." (2 Corinthians 5:17) Satan says, "There is no hope." God says, "Blessed be... the God of all comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3)

You see, every temptation begins with believing a lie, and every victory begins with believing God's truth. That is why we must continually fill our minds with Scripture. Someone once compared the mind to a garden. If you do not intentionally plant flowers, weeds will naturally grow. The same is true of our minds. If we neglect God's Word, the weeds of fear, doubt, bitterness, lust, pride, and anxiety will quickly take over.  David understood this. He wrote in Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee."

Notice he didn't simply read God's Word. He hid it in his heart. He stored it there so that when temptation came, truth was already available. That is exactly how our Lord defeated Satan during His temptation in the wilderness. Every time Satan tempted Him, Jesus answered with the same words: "It is written..." He responded to every lie with the truth of God's Word. Ephesians 6:13-14 says: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth…”

Friend, one of the greatest habits you can develop is to begin every day reading, meditating on, and memorizing Scripture. Throughout the day, ask yourself, "Is what I'm thinking true according to God's Word?" If it isn't, reject it and replace it with what God has said.  Remember, God's peace guards our hearts, but God's truth guards our minds.

Today, determine that your mind will be anchored—not in your feelings, not in the opinions of the world, and not in the changing circumstances of life—but in the unchanging truth of God's Word.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the God of truth. Thank You for giving us Your infallible Word as the sure foundation for our lives. Help us to recognize Satan's lies and reject them immediately. Fill our minds with Your truth, renew our thinking through Your Word, and help us to walk in the freedom that comes from knowing and obeying the truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God bless and may you have a wonderful wonderful day!